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Ted Kooser, the U.S. Poet Laureate. Minnesota will not have a poet in a similar capacity for the state, since Gov. Pawlenty vetoed a measure to create a state poet laureate position. (MPR file photo)

St. Paul, Minn. —
(AP) - A bill establishing an official poet laureate in
Minnesota met a tragic fate.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty penned the fatal verse when he vetoed the
bill. The Republican governor took the action Friday but didn't
announce it until Tuesday.

"Even though we have a state 'folklorist,' I also have concern
this will lead to calls for other similar positions," Pawlenty
wrote in letter accompanying the veto. "We could also see requests
for a state mime, interpretive dancer or potter."

In the letter, Pawlenty professed his respect and appreciation
for the arts but said he had to draw the line at creating the new
position.

Too often when people are talking about the arts they leave out poetry. Poetry was the primary art in ancient times.

- Tree Swenson, Academy of American Poets

Minnesota would have joined its neighboring states, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, with official poet laureates. At least half of the
states have an official laureate, according to the Academy of
American Poets.

"It sends the message that the arts are valued. Too often when
people are talking about the arts they leave out poetry," said
academy executive director Tree Swenson. "Poetry was the primary
art in ancient times."

There is also a national poet laureate, Ted Kooser. He receives
a stipend of $35,000 for each one-year term, but the state poet
wouldn't have received tax dollars.

Minnesota established a folklorist in 1976 to promote Minnesota
folklife by helping coordinate festivals, exhibits and classroom
teaching.

Lawmakers could still write the final stanza, though. The bill
passed the House and Senate overwhelmingly, so a veto override
isn't out of the question.

Sponsoring Rep. Barb Sykora, R-Excelsior, said she was surprised
but not discouraged by the action of her fellow Republican,
Pawlenty.

"I'm not weeping crocodile tears over this, but that does not
mean I will not bring it back," she said.

When lawmakers voted on the bill, Sykora told colleagues a poet
laureate could revive what she considers a dying art.

Minnesota is the birthplace of award-winning poets Robert Bly
and Richard Eberhart.

The poet laureate would have been encouraged to appear at
ceremonies and state celebrations, and get students excited about
poetry.